ARC, Josey set renew rivalry

By Staff Writer

When Richmond Academy and Josey get together it's going to be a highly emotional football game.

It will be more of the same today as both teams look to remain undefeated and gain a share of the Region 3-AAA lead. Richmond Academy (2-0, 2-0 in Region 3-AAA) will be at Josey (3-0, 2-0) for a 7:30 p.m., encounter at White Road Stadium.

"Josey has a good football team," ARC coach Jim Turner said. "It's always tough to play over there."

Some of the area's most electrifying players will be on display in ARC's Mohammad Rashada and Jahmal Rainey and Josey's Marvin Stone and Chip Dykes.

The winner will share the Region 3-AAA lead with the winner of tonight's Burke County (2-1, 2-0) at Dublin (3-0, 2-0) game. ARC and Josey are two of five area squads -- Georgia Class A No. 2 Emanuel County Institute, S.C. Class AA No. 1 Barnwell and Georgia Class A Aquinas, which is 3-0 for the first time in the school's 41-year history -- that are still undefeated.

Here's what to look for in tonight's contest:

OFFENSE:

ARC can spread the field like no other team in the area. Quarterback Davis Beman was 9-for-10 for 180 yards last week against Westside and is throwing the football extremely well. Beman has a host of receivers to throw to in Rashada, Rainey, Rakin Rashada, John Becton and Willie Mazyck. Running back Larry Lee (13 carries, 65 yards and two TDs vs. Westside) provides balance between the run and pass.

Josey relies on the big-play abilities of quarterback Stone and running back Dykes. Josey has shown the ability to adjust if Dykes doesn't get off to a good start. Stone has big-play receivers in Michael Nixon and Willie Bryant.

DEFENSE:

Both squads have been opportunistic. Josey forced four turnovers at Statesboro, while ARC converted two turnovers into 14 points against Westside.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

ARC's Mohammad Rashada has returned two second-half kickoffs for touchdowns, and Rainey has returned a punt for a touchdown. Dykes has returned a kickoff and a punt for scores this season and is also the Eagles' place-kicker.

INTANGIBLES:

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said there is only so many "fire-ups" in a season. For ARC and Josey, this is one of them. Both teams and their fans will be sky high. Big plays and turnovers will likely decide the outcome.

One of the area's most heated rivalries. ... Winner will share Region 3-AAA lead with Burke County-Dublin winner. ... ARC WR/DB Mohammad Rashada has returned two second-half kickoffs for touchdowns in as many weeks. ... Josey rallied from an early 10-0 deficit to defeat Statesboro, 20-17, last week behind two touchdown runs from QB Marvin Stone and one score from Chip Dykes. ... ARC QB Davis Beman was 9-for-10 for 180 yards and one TD in win over Westside. Player was ruled out-of-bounds on his only incompletion. ... Josey held Statesboro to 141 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers, including one late in the game to preserve its win.

Winner will share Region 3-AAA lead with ARC-Josey winner. ... Dublin amassed 553 yards of total offense, including 448 yards rushing, in 41-38 win over Greenbrier. ... Burke County shut out its second consecutive opponent in win over Glenn Hills. ... Fighting Irish have scored 40 or more points in each of their first three games. ... Bears' sophomore Diamond Carter rushed 20 times for 106 yards and one TD vs. Glenn Hills.

Thomson QB Anthony Young threw for 162 yards and four TDs in leading squad to 28-12 win over Laney. ... Thomson WR/DB Reid Sanders (knee) didn't play vs. Laney and is doubtful tonight. ... Patriots RB Sam McElreath rushed 17 times for 86 yards and one TD in loss to ARC. ... Westside had 253 yards of total offense, including 181 yards rushing vs. ARC.

Red Devils lost their first regular-season game (span of 22 games) and were shut out (27 games) for the first time since a loss to Washington-Wilkes in the 1996 opener. ... Putnam County won its first game of the season in a 46-27 win over Monticello. ... Lincoln County defeated Putnam County last season when both teams were Class A. Putnam County, which has moved up to Class AA, was 8-3 last season.

Jefferson County defeated second No. 1 ranked team in three weeks in 7-0 win over then Class A No. 1 Lincoln County. ... Washington-Wilkes, which had a bye last week, has yet to score this season. ... LB Willie Batts had 12 tackles for Warriors last week. Batts, a senior, had career high 20 tackles in 7-6 loss to Mary Persons. ... Tigers' Matt Bailey has been hampered by elbow injury suffered in Jamboree vs. Josey and Hephzibah. ... Warriors' defense has only allowed 13 points in three games.